I would appreciate any hints or comments on what to look for in a good window tinting job. Is there one brand or type of film to specify? Anything to avoid? Best way to pick a good installer when word of mouth isn't working?

I've got a Storm Silver Sport MT, I'm leaning towards black tint, but was also wondering if anyone has done the silver gradient tinting on a StSilver fit?

In Virginia, we're limited to percentages on certain windows and the State Troopers enforce the laws with handheld meters.

Thanks for any help.

 

In Virginia, you can have no tinting on the windshield, any tinting on the front-side windows has to allow for 50% visible light transmission (combination of glass tint and film), and rear-side windows and rear window have to allow for 35% visible light transmission (again a combination of glass tint and film). Reflectivity can be no higher than 20%.

I'm having my Vivid Blue Sport tinted tomorrow morning, in as dark and reflective a tint I can get for the state, and will post pictures, once it's done.

 

I was thinking about starting a post like this. The last time i had my windows tinted they turned purple after a few years. The worst part is i went to the tint place the dealer recommended. When i got their there where 12- 15 new cars parked waiting for tint.
So now i am hoping some one can recommend a good tint brand that wont turn purple.

 

The LLumar brand is guaranteed not to fade, turn purple, etc., and is what my installer will be using. In fact, he does tint installation training for the company, all across the country, so my job should be primo.

 

Do you know if they make like a light brown tint film?

 

What is the typcial cost for tinting a Fit? I am interested but have never looked into it before.

 

Mine would be $250 (all those silly little windows), but I'm getting it for $40, since the installer is going to create the templates from my car.

 

Woah $40 is cheap.
I thought $250 was cheap too.

 

Son had a subaru done for 250.00....The entire car was done.....When I had the job done on my Rav it was 125.00 for 2 windows (Good Stuff).The guy removed the door panels....I was'nt crazy about that The installer did'nt remove on Subaru....He was really Good The Dealer gets a kick-back in most cases I would ask around

 

They should remove the door panels, as it allows them to extend the tint down far enough below the window opening, that you don't risk catching the edge of the film, when you first start lowering your window.

 

I think the hatch window and the two little side rear windows would look ok with tint. I'm not to crazy about some guy removing the door panels.

 

I have a coworker that swears that 3M brand tinting film is the best. I don't know. I understand that tinting turns purple from using window cleaner with ammonia, like Windex. You should use a cleaner with no ammonia on tinted windows. Windex may have one without ammonia too.

 

3m makes only the best or they do not put there name on it. I have not used or seen there tint but I am sure it is what they say it is....

 

[COLOR="DarkSlateGray"At first I asked about tinting my storm silver fit in the smoke fade to silver stuff. All the pros I talked to will do it but with out the lifetime warranty due to quality of the product. [/COLOR]. I Have also considered having the rear hatch in silver so I have less chance of being rear ended on a grey day. We get alot of these days in the Pacific Northwest. two bids Ive received for 219.00 and 225.00 with out tax for 4 doors and hatch.

 

I realise this is a daft question, but I wonder why people tint in the first place? As a driver I hate tinted cars, I quite often look at the driver at intersections to make sure they have seen me or to wave them on, and sometimes the tint is so dark I have no clue what's going on in there. I have avoided at least one bad accident by noticing a driver at a stop sign had not looked my way before pulling out.

And I just don't see that cars look better with tinted windows - they remind me of hearses.

But I guess that's just me.?

 

Reasons to tint: reduce sun damage
reduce radient heat build up
privacy is important in certain cases
safety
One unoticable reason is if you get in a wreck and the window breaks the tint will hold all the small fragment together so you dont get cut or the EMS folks dont get cut. Auto accident victoms go to ER all the time with glass in ther hair and inbeded in other places.
what are your values determin why I guess. Did you notice I didnt list they look cool. I am trying to reduce the heat build up. I dont like punks looking in my car at stop lites is my second reason.

 

How this guy did it without removing the panels is a mystery to me But he works on all the fancy cars....You should not use windex to clean Tint I use plain water with a cloth....Not tissue! Tint is not as dark when looking out.....So they really can see you It will also cut down on Heat...I would trust 3M brand 100% over others...Use a DAMP cloth to clean Tint...Not soaking wet...Do not open your windows for a couple of days..After applying tint.........

 

professionals dont typically remove door panels. I beleive it is a clue the person is not proffesional. I am sure the person did a good job. removing the door involves much more time and mor risk. not removing the door p**** does not mean a person is doing cheap quality workmanship

 

I used to work for 3M. I know that their products are good. I just have no experience with their window tint. They make most of the decals and adhesives for the automotive industry in the US. They are an OEM vendor for a lot of car manufacturers. I know they have good quality products. I worked in their data storage division before they spun it off into Imation. It is possible that you are getting a 3M product with someone elses name on it. They will sell to the competition if they can make money.

 

Thanks for all the replies!

Has anyone mirror tinted a Storm Silver one yet?

I like the idea of mirror tinting the hatch and smoking the other eight (8!) windows. I had mirror tint all the way around an '84 Civic Wagon when it was still legal in Virginia.